Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

JUST IN: Truck hits McLean power line, killing man and prompting outage

Published September 19, 2022 at 2:20PM | Updated September 19, 2022 at 2:53PM

More than 3,000 customers in McLean are without power after a bucket truck hit a power line on Georgetown Pike (via Dominion Energy)

(Updated at 2:50 p.m.) A bucket truck operator has died after the vehicle hit a power line on Georgetown Pike in McLean, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

The collision near Langley Fork Lane was reported to police just before 1 p.m. NBC4 reported that a police helicopter was called in to evacuate an injured person, but the FCPD says the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Countywide

FCPS ‘reviewing’ Virginia’s proposed policies on treatment of transgender students

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 19, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated September 19, 2022 at 2:50PM

Transgender pride flag (via Alexander Grey/Unsplash)

(Updated at 2:45 p.m.) New draft policies that would limit schools’ ability to support transgender students are currently under review by Fairfax County Public Schools.

Unveiled Friday afternoon (Sept. 16), the Virginia Department of Education’s proposed 2022 model policies directs schools to defer to parents in determining accommodations for LGBTQ students, including the names and pronouns staff can use for them.

News

FCPD investigates two shootings over weekend, one of them fatal

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 19, 2022 at 9:30AM

A Fairfax County police SUV with lights on (file photo)

A 19-year-old man from Annandale died Saturday (Sept. 17) after being shot during what police describe as a “confrontation” outside the Woodlawn Garden Apartments.

Darlin Ariel Diaz Flores was reported shot at 9:34 p.m. by a community member who heard a gunshot and found him laying on a sidewalk in the 8400 block of Graves Street, the Fairfax County Police Department said yesterday (Sunday).

Countywide

Morning Poll: Where are you working now — online or in person?

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 13, 2022 at 9:30AM

A person prepares for work with laptop and coffee (via Clay Banks/Unsplash)

There has been no shortage of thinkpieces about how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed workplaces, from the waning demand for office space to widespread staffing deficits as workers reevaluated their goals and working conditions.

One trend that may be here to stay is the growing acceptance of remote work, with many people who can telework saying they would do it all or most of the time, if given the option.

Around Town

With special election coming, Mark Keam reflects on representing 35th District

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 8, 2022 at 2:15PM

Mark Keam has resigned as delegate for Virginia's 35th House District after 12 years (courtesy Mark Keam)

Mark Keam’s 13-year tenure in the Virginia General Assembly has come to a close.

After accepting a position in the Office of National Travel and Tourism in the Biden administration, Keam announced on Tuesday (Sept. 6) that he has submitted his resignation as delegate for the 35th House District, which includes Tysons, Vienna, Dunn Loring, Oakton and Fair Oaks.

News

High-rise housing with public, urban park proposed for Tysons’ Arbor Row

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 8, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:44PM

Developer Cityline Partners has proposed turning "Block C2" in Arbor Row into a residential high-rise (via Fairfax County)

With the region’s office market still in flux, the developer behind Arbor Row in central Tysons will bet on housing instead.

Cityline Partners recently submitted a proposal to Fairfax County asking to swap an office building that had previously been approved for the neighborhood’s Block C2 for a residential high-rise with ground-floor retail.

Countywide

County library invites community to knit hats for charity, starting Monday

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 7, 2022 at 2:15PM

Colorful balls of yarn (via Margarida Afonso/Unsplash)

There’s no gift like one made by hand.

That sentiment inspired Fairfax County Public Library’s new “Knitting for Charity” initiative, a pilot project launching next week that encourages community members to craft winter hats for those who will need warm clothes as temperatures drop.

News

Vienna volunteer’s life honored with new music festival, coming Saturday

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 7, 2022 at 1:30PM

The inaugural JeanFest22 in Vienna will celebrate the life of Jean Buttecali, a resident, business owner and volunteer who died in 2020 (photo by Pete Buttecali)

This weekend, Vienna will celebrate a longtime resident the way she would’ve wanted: with a party for a good cause.

The Rotary Club of Vienna will stage its inaugural JeanFest22 Charity Benefit Concert at the Town Green and Jammin’ Java on Saturday (Sept. 10) in honor of Jean Buttecali, a local business owner and frequent volunteer who died suddenly from an unknown heart issue in summer 2020.

News

Renovation, new stores on the way for McLean’s Chesterbrook Shopping Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 7, 2022 at 10:15AM | Updated September 7, 2022 at 2:47PM

Construction has begun on a renovation of Chesterbrook Shopping Center in McLean (courtesy Federal Realty)

(Updated at 2:45 p.m.) Construction has begun on a substantial renovation of Chesterbrook Shopping Center in McLean.

Barricades, signage and other equipment started emerging at the Safeway-anchored retail strip in mid-August, reader Mike Whatley told FFXnow.

Countywide

New COVID-19 booster vaccines expected to be available in Fairfax County this week

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 6, 2022 at 3:00PM

Fairfax Health District COVID-19 cases over the past 26 weeks, as of Sept. 6, 2022 (via VDH)

Most booster shots against COVID-19 were put on hold over Labor Day weekend, as Fairfax County prepares for newly authorized vaccines designed to target omicron variants of the coronavirus.

Appointments for the updated boosters are expected to be available through the county’s Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS) by tomorrow (Wednesday), the Fairfax County Health Department confirmed to FFXnow.